Non-destructive Raman characterization of Capodimonte and Buen Retiro porcelain

A series of 18th century porcelain objects belonging to the collections of the Musee National de Ceramique (Sevres) and attributed to the manufactures of Capodimonte (Naples, Italy) and Buen Retiro (Madrid, Spain) have been characterized in the laboratory by means of Raman macro- and micro-spectroscopy. Owing to their unique history, products from these two manufactures show high similarities, and therefore distinction between them is not always straightforward. Analyses have been carried out on pastes, glazes and decorations of a series of porcelain objects (cups, saucers, ornamental figures) in order to assess the compositional and technological aspects of these productions. The results are discussed in the light of previous characterization of Capodimonte and Buen Retiro porcelain fragments found during excavations in the surroundings of both manufactures. Objects from Capodimonte show a general homogeneity and are mostly comparable with the excavation samples. On the other hand, objects and fragments from Buen Retiro show varied Raman signatures in both pastes and glazes. This does not allow classifying them as a 'reference group' for a Raman study of this production.